Case Digest (G.R. No. 13641)
Facts:
- Vicente Molina and Pedro Galima were defendants in a case against the United States.
- The events occurred in March and April 1914 in Concunig, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur.
- Anacleto Alnas and his family were boiling sugar when the defendants approached them.
- The defendants claimed to have divine inspiration that could benefit the poor and invited Anacleto to witness a demonstration.
- During the demonstration, Galima cut paper while Molina performed sleight-of-hand tricks, claiming to turn the paper into real currency.
- Anacleto, initially skeptical, was persuaded to give his carabao in exchange for a promise of wealth.
- After following the defendants' instructions for several weeks, Anacleto realized he had been deceived.
- He reported the incident to local authorities, leading to the defendants' arrest.
- The Court of First Instance of Ilocos Sur found both defendants guilty of estafa and sentenced them to six months of arresto mayor, a fine of P140, subsidiary imprisonment for insolvency, and costs of the case.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The court ruled that Vicente Molina and Pedro Galima were guilty of estafa against Anacleto Alnas.
- The court determined that the aggravating circumstance of recidivism should be...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The court's decision was based on the fact that the defendants used deceitful means to induce Anacleto to part with his carabao without legitimate consideration.
- The court highlighted that the defendants exploited Anacleto's ignorance and superstition, which constituted estafa as defined in the Penal Code.
- The court addressed the defense's argument regarding witness testimony, stating that multiple witnesses did not negate the possibility of the...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 13641)
Facts:
The case involves Vicente Molina and Pedro Galima as defendants and appellants against the United States as the plaintiff and appellee. The events transpired in the months of March and April 1914 in the barrio of Concunig, municipality of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. Anacleto Alnas, along with his family, was engaged in boiling sugar when the defendants approached them, claiming to have received divine inspiration that could benefit the poor. They invited Anacleto and his companions to witness a demonstration of this divine power. During the demonstration, Pedro Galima cut pieces of paper, and Vicente Molina performed sleight-of-hand tricks, transforming the paper into genuine currency, which he claimed could be replicated by anyone willing to pay a fee and perform certain prayers over seven Fridays.
Anacleto, initially skeptical, was persuaded to give his carabao to the defendants in exchange for a promise of wealth, believing that the piece of paper they provided would yield significant returns. After following the defendants' instructions for several weeks, Anacleto discovered that he had been deceived, as the promised transformation did not occur. He reported the matter to local authorities, leading to the defendants' arrest. The Court of First In...